Before Your Surgery

Whether you are having same day surgery or surgery that will require you to stay overnight at the hospital, it is important to be prepared. Some tips to help you get ready for your surgery are below. You can also ask us questions about your surgery or talk to your doctor.

Before Surgery

You will be scheduled for a pre-op appointment or phone call assessment to review the surgery process and any concerns you may have. Expect to stay up to two hours for this appointment. Phone call assessments may take up to 30 minutes.

Please bring all of your medications in their actual containers (including vitamins and herbal supplements) to your pre-op appointment. You can eat and drink the day of this visit.

Pre-Surgery Instructions

• You may need to visit the hospital before your surgery date for pre-operative testing such as blood tests, X-rays or an EKG. Please complete all requested tests beforehand or your surgery may be delayed or cancelled.
• Speak with Patient Registration when they call to get registration information.
• Your surgeon may ask you to meet with an anesthesiologist before your surgery. You will be contacted to schedule that appointment.
• If you smoke, reduce or stop smoking one week before surgery.
• Arrange for someone to take care of your children, pets and other home obligations.
• Arrange for a responsible adult to take you home and to stay with you overnight the day of your discharge.
• Call your surgeon if you have changes in your health before your surgery.
• Pack your suitcase with only what you need. Leave valuables at home.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery unless you receive specific instructions from the anesthesiologist or nurse. This includes water, coffee, tea, candy and gum. If you do not follow this guideline, your surgery may be canceled.
• You may take regular medications with a sip of water unless told not to by the anesthesiologist or nurse. If you do not follow this guideline, your surgery may be canceled.
• If you become ill or need to postpone your surgery for any reason, please call your doctor and the hospital staff as soon as possible.

We will confirm these arrangements with you before your surgery.

Pre-Procedure Testing

Patients having procedures requiring hospital admission post-procedure may need to be tested for COVID-19 three days before their procedure, regardless of their vaccination status.

Testing will take place at Workplace Health, 21 Enterprise Drive, Augusta and 149 North Street, 3rd Floor, Waterville. Workplace Health will call patients to schedule this testing. Patients will receive the rapid antigen testing. If there is a positive result or patients fail to get their COVID-19 test, the referring practice will be called and the procedure may need to be rescheduled.

MaineGeneral is taking this step due to the continued high numbers of COVID-19 in our community. We believe this is the right thing to do for patients and families.

If you have any questions, please speak with the clinician who referred you for the procedure. 

Help at Home

Homecare services are available if you need help at home after surgery.

Speak with your doctor to coordinate these services or call MaineGeneral HomeCare toll-free (800) 670-6959.